"The more tape Wade Phillips watches of Texans defensive end Mario Williams, the more he sees DeMarcus Ware.

Phillips, who's switching the Texans' defense to a 3-4, isn't comparing Williams to the Dallas Cowboys' Ware, an outside linebacker who is the NFL's pre-eminent pass rusher. But he is putting Williams at the same position that has enabled Ware to register an NFL-high 60½ sacks over the last four seasons and 80 in his six-year career.

"I think he's the rush guy we need," Phillips said. "You have to put him in the spot that gives him the best chance to rush the passer all the time and be your star rusher.

"He's got the talent. With him standing up, he lines up a little wider, and he's coming every time on a different angle. This gives him the chance to be the premier rusher, just like DeMarcus."

Phillips coached Ware for almost 3 1/2 years until being fired during the 2010 season.

"A lot of players have gotten a lot of sacks playing defensive end in our defense, but the Will (weak side) linebacker is the premier guy," Phillips said. "He's just too talented to not give him the opportunity to be the guy."

During the lockout, Williams returned to North Carolina State, where he's 12 hours shy of getting his degree in sports management. When the lockout ended briefly last week, he met with Phillips.

"I feel great about it," Williams said about moving to weak-side linebacker. "What an opportunity for me.

"Wade told me he'll put me in the best position to make plays, and the biggest thing that got my attention was when he said, 'Just go.' He wants me to get after the quarterback 90 percent of the time. He said, 'When the ball's snapped, I want you to go, be fast and get the quarterback.'

"When they want me to cover, I'll do it. I don't think that'll happen too much. I don't think you'll see me turning and running and covering somebody man-to-man down the field.""